Examples Of Greed In The Pardoner's Tale

Tyrus Lowe

Jenkins

English IV

February 23, 2023

The Consequences of Greed

Occasionally in life greed can push people to do terrible things. In The Pardoner’s Tale by Geoffery Chaucer, three main characters set out to “find and kill death.” While on a hunt, they stumble upon great fortune that ultimately leads them to their death. Their materialistic ways cause them to plot against one another, be hypocritical, and die a cruel death.

After the characters start to plot against one another, readers can then begin to foreshadow their forbidding deaths. Three greedy rioters influence them to turn on each other. The rioter’s focus is blinded by the chance of becoming rich. The power of their desire for riches causes them to abandon their moral principles. As quoted in the book, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” This quote helps readers understand that the three rioters love for the money made their intentions malicious. The rioters were so focus on the gold coins they forgot what their main goal of defeating death.

The Pardoner preaches against sin but indulges in all forms of sin simultaneously. The Pardoner even tries to excuse his behavior by favorably comparing himself to other hypocritical preachers who seek power. He preaches only to get people’s money by making them feel guilty not to correct their sin. In medieval times it was custom to serve their God as much as possible and avoid sinning. Both the medieval time and the contemporary world have that in common. The medieval times are violent and very harsh unlike the contemporary